Hello!
Are you On The Hunt for some new spring furniture and decor? Well, Wisteria is having a sale! Take advantage using the code BLOOMS20 until tomorrow, Wednesday, 3/23 🙂
Happy Shopping!
Photoshop Fun: Sad Colonial
This small house was down the street from my old apartment. The poor thing is all busted up 😦 I found this Photoshop file in my archive…from when I started virtually fixing it up in 2013! It still needed some touchups, so I quickly finished the work tonight, and now you get to check out the results. Of course there are window boxes, a lantern, and a little peek of stacked stone 🙂
Before:
After:
Now THAT’S a sweet little place I wouldn’t mind coming home to each night 🙂
Hanging Out At…Terrain at Styers
I realized that I have been checking out some cool places lately. So I’ve made a new category for all of my posts documenting the fun places where we can “hang out” at together!
I have been wanting to visit Terrain at Styers for a long time now. It’s owned by Urban Outfitters, so you KNOW it’s going to be amazing…Finally, I had my opportunity to get myself out there, so last weekend, I took myself on a nice brunch date there 🙂
First, I strolled around the greenhouses and outdoor areas:
The mantle with the greenery was such a sweet idea to bring some character to a weathered shed.
The smell of a wood burning fire was so welcoming on this warm winter day. It stayed in my hair for hours after I left!
And then I checked out the little Mushroom House:
It was being set up for a private gathering later that day. A woman was setting up in there, so I could only snap a few clandestine shots before I snuck out of there 🙂
Then, it was off to the cafe!
Again, sly photography-but you can see the beverage bar area made of what looked to be wood boxes. S0 garden-y…
Even the way they used the white birch branches inside of a “house frame” was theme-y in a good way. It felt like a whimsical bird house!
Once I was at my table, I enjoyed the gnomey rustic-ness of the dining area.
I was a little disappointed when I tried to order my meal. I asked them to substitute potato hash and bacon with apple fritters (obviously), and they got themselves into a kerfluffle just trying to figure out how they were going to do that. And when my meal came out, it was missing the hash browns and sausage, but came with bacon. Not too big of a deal, but the waitress said nicely, “Usually, we charge extra for custom orders, but since we’re not busy, we’ll make an exception”…When I read their menu, bacon, sausage, and apple fritters were all the same cost, so I’m not sure who it cost them more, but anyway…I ordered their Breakfast Board, which was 2 overlays eggs, a petite salad, 2 pieces of challah toast, bacon, and my apple fritters 🙂 I also got a cherry vanilla homemade soda. I splurged a little bit on my calories, so sue me…
Loved the wood slice plate that it was served on, and the receipt came in this sweet vintage kite book. Overall, my waitress was nice, the food was good, and the atmosphere divine. 
Next, I visited their shop. Which was stunning. In fact, I was so inspired, that I created a whole model apartment concept after this polished rustic look for work…
Finally, I crept around the wedding pavilion.
I did think that the ceremony spot looked a bit weathered, and I hoped for the spring brides’ sake, that they would repaint the structure…but right across the brick paved walkway was the reception area…
Luckily for me, they were setting up for a celebration, so I got to see it in all of its glory.
That is one lucky couple. It was gorg!
Overall, I thought it was beautiful! I have to say, I am REALLY looking forward to going back in the spring (which is mere weeks away!) when more flora is blooming. An updated post may follow…
I hope you liked tagging along with me on my weekend adventure 🙂
World Market Visit
I get lots and lots and lots of emails about different vendor’s websites and whatever 20% off promotion they are running that day. It gets to the point that even I tune out to the deals. But one email, in particular, caught my eye…the Grand Opening of a World Market…right around the corner from Iron Man’s hood!
So, obviously, I went. It was an absolute mad house. Which is why I fit in perfectly 🙂 Here is what ensued…
First up, some animal friends!
Look at those sweet fox spoon rests. (A few years ago, I had this wacked out dream, where a little puppet fox was playfully chasing me. Ever since then, I developed a soft spot for foxes…I know, I’m not normal)
Check out that rhinoceros lamp base…My hand is there for scale. They’re so mini and dainty, that they’re an accessory themselves. I never had a dream about a rhino, although I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas…
When I was a little girl, my aunt took me and my cousins to a farm. They had lots of little pink piglets that had just been born, and I fell in love! So, as an adult, I try to pay a sophisticated homage to my childhood love. This piggy chalkboard is just the ticket!
And who doesn’t love a good whale bookshelf?? A nautical delight!
Ummm, I can’t even. The gold wire frame lamp base, the magenta lamp shade, the driftwood floor lamp base for only $199.99! But the piece(s) de resistance (for me) were the chandeliers. Specifically, the beaded wood one in the left hand corner. This is also 200 bucks. The best part is that it works with just a regular plug-in cord! LIKELIHOOD THAT THIS WILL BE PURCHASED TO HANG OVER MY DINING TABLE: Very High-Extremely High
And now on to the colorful pretties…
The pillows, rugs, and placemats got me longing for spring. And that magenta chair was so perfect for their color palette this season. That fab floral kimono was so bohemian-ly beautiful, I couldn’t help but imagine myself wearing that, sipping a coconut drink through a straw on a porch while a tropical breeze rustles through my hair…if I can’t be in a beach paradise, maybe I could be sitting on this playful linen settee with colorful buttons. It even has a matching bed! The glass vases are always something I see from other vendors, but the prices are so good here, there’s no competition.
And here are some lace inspired pieces…
The beautiful lattice towels were so lush and lovely in person. And the incredible carved screen was a dream. I had considered buying this for work a few weeks ago, and it was really stunning when it was right in front of you. It’s time like these when I wish I had a whole house for all of the furniture I dream about (and obviously a ginormous closet for all of my clothes too!) Also quite stunning was this metallic dresser. So pretty!
And some other beauties that caught my eye. A wooden desk, a mix-and-match desk (that rivals IKEA’s), some geometric terrariums, and a whimsical arrow tote (similar)!
I can’t leave out the food either! A whole stash of Kinder treats-yum! And these perfect square dishes for snacks or soy sauce, for when I learn how to make sushi…I loved this wood-handled silverware. It was so earthy, but modern. Which is also why I loved these marble and wood cake stands. It made me want to eat blueberry lemon cupcakes be a baker. Although I couldn’t find this chunky wood and metal dining table online, the rustic wooden slab chargers (things you put under plates to stop the eater from making a mess) and ginger beer were things I thought Iron Man would like 🙂
And one final image, so if you weren’t sure how great my trip was, this should confirm it 🙂
Yes, Genevieve Gorder was the guest of honor!
You would be happy to know that I DID NOT purchase anything! Or maybe it wouldn’t make you happy…believe me, it’s not because I didn’t see anything I liked. You all know I can ALWAYS find something that I like. The line was super long and I plan to come back, Bed, Bath, and Beyond (World Market’s parent company) gift cards in hand!
❤
Copy Cat Recipe: Chik-Fil-A Nuggets
Hello!
I hope everyone fared well during the storm we got on the East Coast! While snowed in, I did what any hungry girl does during a blizzard…ate myself into oblivion!
If you’re into healthy foods, then cover your eyes, because this copy cat recipe isn’t for your every day dinner. Although, the real Chik-Fil-A nutrition facts aren’t nearly as bad as you would think…
This recipe is modified from Chungah’s, over at Damn Delicious. I must admit, we gobbled down our nuggets so quickly (as in, standing in the kitchen, right out of the pan), that I didn’t even take photos..bad blogger, bad blogger…but what I can tell you is that Iron Man was whooping cheers of delight and high-fiving me, while exclaiming, “You did good, Ma!”
I’d say this is a recipe worth repeating. Thanks, Chungah 🙂
COPYCAT CHICK-FIL-A NUGGETS
Tastes EXACTLY like the real deal 🙂
YIELD: 4 SERVINGS
PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES (not counting the overnight marinade)
COOK TIME: 10 MINUTES
TOTAL TIME: 25 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour in separate bowl
- 1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
FOR THE HONEY MUSTARD
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice **I didn’t make this exactly the same way, but I’m keeping Damn Delicious’ recipe intact, as mine was done quickly**
DIRECTIONS:
- THE NIGHT BEFORE: In a medium bowl, combine chicken and pickle juice. For best flavor, marinate overnight!
- To make the honey mustard, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, mustards and lemon juice in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. (I turned it to a 4 out of 10, 10 being high heat)
- In a small bowl, add 1/2 cup flour. Set aside.
- In another small bowl, whisk the egg. Set aside.
- In a larger bowl, combine remaining flour, Panko bread crumbs, confectioners’ sugar, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- After trimming and cubing chicken, lightly toss in plain flour.
- Then, coat in egg.
- Next, bread chicken in flour, Panko, sugar, s&p mixture.
- Add chicken to the skillet and cook until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- For extra deliciousness, add a mini pickle slice to each bite.
- Gobble down immediately, and if you have time, dip in honey mustard.
This recipe is SERIOUSLY good and will convince you to make this on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, when the real thing is closed.
Enjoy!
Provenance
On Friday, me and my co-worker visited an amazing place called Provenance in Philadelphia. They are making us a custom made desk for one of our properties, so we went to go over some of the details. They had SOOO many cool things, I couldn’t wait to start looking around!
See the Church spires in the first photo? How cool would that be flanking the doorway to your boudoir, or maybe the entryway to a garden? My mind was spinning!
The next photo was originally a mold for steel beams, but obviously, I was spying it for a possible coffee table. They priced something like that for $200! But unfortunately for me, this piece was not for sale 😦
The Electric Company sign was so cool, I don’t know exactly how this could be used in a home setting, but I certainly wished there was an “S” in the lineup…
And can we talk about those mantels for a second? Hello, lovelies! I have been really wanting a mantel for my bedroom. The wall is small and too narrow for dresser, but just perfect for a narrow snuggly mantel, complete with white twinkle lights for the wintertime 🙂
They just had so much stuff…an entire warehouse full of reclaimed wood, old doors, and stained glass windows and entire panel walls from Churches. So freakin’ cool.
I asked them where they get their things and they said sometimes it’s salvaged, sometimes things are given to them, and sometimes they find things on their own. What a cool job, right? A treasure hunter…And, it turns out that one of the fabricators happened to be a graduate from my alma mater (although much younger than me-eek!), so he was super helpful for our upcoming work project.
If you happen to be in the area, check them out!
Provenance: 1801 North American Street, Philadelphia, 215.925.2002
All Grown Up: Round 2
Word of the Year: 2016
Happy New Year!!
I can’t believe that another year has already gone by. It’s crazy! Last year, I posted about having a word of the year, instead of a resolution. And, well, I loved it so much, I’m doing it again!
2015 was a really transformative year for me. My word last year was Grow. And I feel that I did just that! I opened myself up to experiencing kindness and love from new people
I continued with therapy and proceeded to heal
I visited a place that I always wanted to go and considered what it would mean if I moved there
And I moved into a new apartment!
(photos to come soon!)
So now that it is 2016, here is my word:
Present.
Often, I fast forward my life and become so caught up in what will happen or what is supposed to happen, that I forget to enjoy what IS happening. I feel that in order to be happier, I have to stop worrying about next year, stop trying to design my future, and just enjoy what life is offering me now.
Here’s to a year of serious enjoyment!
What I Wore: Clothes-ing Out The Year
Graphic Button-down: J Crew Factory
Necklace: J Crew Factory
Pleather Leggings: TJ Maxx
Ombre Hair: Claire at JuJu Salon
Blue Peplum: Ann Taylor via my lovely friend, Michelle, who was giving this away!
Colorful Striped Blouse: J Crew Factory
Cranberry Top: Charlotte Russe a bazillion years ago
Pink Buffalo Check Popover: J Crew Factory
Navy Puffer Vest: J Crew Factory
Suede Boots: Nine West Factory
What I Wore: Autumnal Attire
The Huntress Blog 
